Windsurfing: Experiencing the power of nature

By Cheryl Robbins, translated by Ruby Lee. Photos provided by Flying Fish Windsurfing Club

       Although Taiwan is not well-known for its beaches or water sports, there are good wind conditions between Taipei and Changhua, with suitable areas for windsurfing between Hsinchu and Taichung. Near the historical Changhua county town of Lukang, there is an enclosed area off the coast that is a safe training ground for windsurfing novices. One of the best ways to get involved in this sport is through the Flying Fish Windsurfing Club.

       This club, the only one in Taiwan devoted to windsurfing, was founded seven years ago by two Taichung enthusiasts. According to current president Tony Tsai (½²©¨¹F), the club now has about 40 members, including 15 foreigners. He emphasizes that this is a sport for all ages, with the club¡¦s members ranging from nine to 57 years old. When asked if it was necessary to be a strong swimmer or to be physically fit to enjoy this sport, he said it was not necessary to be able to swim as long as a person was wearing a life jacket.

       "Of course, you cannot be afraid of the water, but that is the only prerequisite to windsurfing. If you receive the proper training, it shouldn¡¦t require a lot of strength to lift the sail,¡¨ he said.

       In spring and summer, when the weather is hottest, calmer winds are suitable for beginners. Advanced windsurfers look forward to the winter, when they can don wetsuits and enjoy the stronger winds. According to Tony Tsai, it takes about two days of instruction before a beginner can lift up the sail, go out from the shore and come back to shore again. The cost for two days of training (usually over a weekend) is NT$3,000 and include instruction, equipment rental and insurance. If you would like to extend your training to a second weekend, the total cost is NT$5,000.

       If you become addicted to the sport, do you need to buy equipment? Not really. It is possible to continue renting from the club for about NT$1,000 per day. Of course, if you would like to have your own equipment, the club can accommodate you. There is a showroom displaying everything needed for windsurfing at the club¡¦s headquarters on the second floor of Frog I Pub in Taichung. Expect to shell out between NT$40,000 and NT$60,000.

       When asked how he became involved in the sport, Tsai enthusiastically recounts how windsurfing changed his life, from the time he first tried it 16 years ago as a junior high school student. At that time, he was attending a Catholic school. Most of the other kids came from privileged families and had the opportunity to receive extra tutoring in English and other subjects during elementary school. As Tsai's family was not very well off, he felt that he couldn¡¦t compete academically, leading him to start hanging out with the ¡§bad¡¨ crowd.

       "One of the priests felt that overall I was a good kid, but just needed some guidance. He asked me to volunteer at a summer camp and it was there that he taught me how to windsurf. I became addicted to the sport and started spending more time windsurfing and less time hanging out with my friends. That really turned my life around.¡¨

       From September, the Flying Fish Windsurfing Club will hold events on the fourth weekend of every month until the end of March, making this one of the best times to join. Membership fees are very reasonable, costing only NT$2,000 per year.

       Tsai insists that learning how to windsurf is easy and is one of the best ways to experience the power of nature close up. So, if you are looking for something different to do on weekends while the weather is still warm, contact the Flying Fish Windsurfing Club and try a windsurfing lesson. It could change your life.

Flying Fish Windsurfing Club
Frog I Pub, 2nd floor
105, section 1, HuaMei West Street
Tel: (04) 2321-1197 or Tony Tsai at (0935) 797-909